Electrical selector for phonographs and the like



March 27, 1951 o, E, GRUPP, JR 2,546,392

ELECTRICAL SELECTOR FOR PHONOGRAPHS AND THE LIKE fell-I INVENTOR. 077'0 E Rz/PP; Jie.

March 27, 1951 o. E. GRUPP, JR 2,546,392

ELECTRICAL SELECTOR FOR PHONOGRAPHS AND THE LIKE Filed May '7, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 'Pl. L "Pv l. 3 x-1'. q-

INVENTOR. Uraf. Lm/PP, JK4

March 27, 1951 E, GRUPP, JR 2,546,392

I ELECTRICAL SELECTOR FOR PHONOGRAPHS AND THE LIKE Filed May 7, 19.48 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 IINVENTOR.

Patented Mar. 27, 1951 ELECTRICAL SELECTOR FOR PHONO- GRAPHS AND THE LIKE Otto E. Grupp, Jr., Kenmore, N. Y., assigner to The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, Chicago, Ill.,

a corporation Application May 7, 1948, Serial No. 25,693

Claims.

This invention relates to an electrical selector for phonographs, vending machines, or similar devices depending uponcoin actuation and manual selection of records, merchandise, and similar commodities. More parti :ularly the invention is designed to provide va selector unit `which may be directly or remotely connected with a phonograph or vending machine for receiving coins of different denominations which will act t0 register and bank through one or more electric impulse unit values yaccording to the denomination of the coin deposited. Thus, wherein the unit value may be five cents, `a deposit of a quarter will send live impulses to bank on the accumulator iive unit values to cause iive unit commodities to be vended. Associated therewith in the electric circuit there is provided a series of manual selecting devices more particularly provided herein in the form of twenty-four keys for the selection of one of twenty-four phonograph records.

This invention pertains to such a selector device wherein there is provided a mechanical interlock for the selector keys in a manner to lock an actuated key during such time interval as is required :for it to effect the selection, while at the saine time locking the remaining keys in inoperative position. By means of such mechanical interlock only one key at a time may be actuated for effecting the selection, and having been actuated it is locked against movement to inoperative position until the selecting cycle has been completed. Such mechanical interlock is effective to prevent operation of other keys during the selecting` cycle. Thus the operated key is locked in selecting position and all remaining keys are simultaneously locked against operation until the selecting cycle has been completed and the danger of interfering with the continuity and completion of a selecting cycle by a partially operated key is eliminated.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a delay 'action timing mechanism for controlling the duration of the selecting cycle to assure complete electrical control whereby the electrical impulses may be of suliicient duration to positively actuate the selecting mechanism.

A furthei1 feature of the invention contemplates the provision of switches for controlling the circuits Iwhich may be enclosed to provide a higher degree of dependability than is possible in the use of relays, which frequently get out of adjustment, develop oxidized contacts, and open coils. Furthermore, the use of a Acoin switch which directly energizes the accumulator for 'banking the values of the coins deposited without the necessity of haring intermediate contact disks, relays, and the like, assures delivery of the proper number of record plays or commodities according to the value of the coins 'depositedf IIS The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the selector with parts removed.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective View showing the normal position of a selector key operating lever with respect to the latch bar of the interlock in inoperative position.

Fig. 4 is the same as Fig. 3 showing the interlock in actuated position.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation partly in section taken substantially on the line 5 5 of Fig. l showing the reset mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the accumulator and timing escapement taken substantially on the lines 6 6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the timing escapement mechanism viewed substantially on the line 1-1 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view showing the contacts of the selector switches.

Fig. 9 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical components operatively connected with a selector.

The electrical selector apparatus with mechanical interlock as herein disclosed is adapted to be associated with a coin box which may receive coins of diiferent denominations and of the well known type now in use wherein the coins are tested for slugs, and separated as to denominations whereupon the coins pass into coin chutes.

As diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 9 the numeral l represents coin actuated switches arranged in parallel, one such switch being engageable by a coin passing through the nickel chute for temporarily closing to send a single irnpulse to the accumulator. Two such switches are provided in the chute through which dimes pass for sending two impulses and five such switches are provided in the chute through which quarters pass for sending live such impulses. An'accumulator or banking device is controlled by an accumulator magnetl 6 for receiving the impulses, registering, and banking them as hereinafter more particularly described. A series of selector switches controlled by selector keys are connected with a selector device on the phonograph or machine having a corresponding series of solenoids indicated at 4G in Fig. 9, one for each record adapted to be selected, or other commodity.

A suitable selector is more particularlysh-own.

and described in the application of Fred H. Osborne, Serial No. 705,713, led October 25, 1946, entitled Automatic Phonograph, wherein the said solenoids are therein identified by the numeral 93 in Figs. 9, l0, and 11. The selector herein disclosed is designed for a selection of twenty-four phonograph records through the operation of twenty-four corresponding selector keys arranged in two banks, only one bank of twelve keys being illustrated for simplification. The selector also includes in the circuit a Inechanical interlock controlled by the solenoid 25 to prevent manipulation of more than one selector key during a selecting cycle. .also provided in the circuit is a solenoid 4'! suitably connected with a counter (not shown) to register the total number of selections completed in the circuit.

For providing a time delay to insure sufficient operating time of the cycle during which a selecting mechanism operates and to insure complete energizing of the various electric controls, a timing escapement mechanism is provided as shown in Fig. 7.

Referring to Fig. 9 the coin switches l are schematically illustrated to represent a series of coin actuated switches so arranged in the several coin passages that a five cent piece will close one switch sending one impulse through the circuit to the accumulator solenoid E, a ten cent piece will successively close two switches to thereby cause two impulses to be sent over the circuit, and a twenty-five cent piece will successively close five switches to cause ve impluses to be sent.

Such coin switch device is well known in the art and forms no part of this invention other than through its coin control the accumulator device hereinafter described controlled by the solenoid 5 is actuated to register and bank one or more vending operations according to the number of impulses received. For this purpose one side of the switches is connected through conductor A to a source of potential S from the transformer 2, the other side completing a circuit through conductor B to the coil 6 of the accumulator device 3 (Fig. 1) depending upon the value or values of the coins inserted.

In the device illustrated in Fig. 1 there is provided a torsion spring loaded ratchet wheel l normally held against rotation in the direction of the arrow by a pawl 5, said pawl being anxed to the movable armature of the accumulator S. Each time a coin switch is momentarily closed, an impulse energizes the coil 5 which attracts the armature and allows the ratchet wheel to escape one tooth thereupon setting up or banking a credit for one selection.

Mounted upon the ratchet wheel t there is a tab projection I normally engaged with the switch actuating blade 8 of a normally closed microswitch 9 when there are no credits registered on the accumulator. Said switch is thereby held in its circuit opening position (Fig. 9). However, upon one or more credits being established, the ratchet wheel will be allowed to escape one tooth, said tab being thereby moved away from the blade 8 allowing the microswitch 9 to close the circuit. Upon said switch being closed a circuit is completed to the selection lights I8 through the conductor A, the conductor C, normally closed switch 40, conductor E, the microswitch 9, conductor F, and the ballast resistor O. The other side of the circuit is closed through the transformer 2 and the lines D and I. The closing of said circuit also conditions the conductor G leading to the normally open switch l i controlling the cancel solenoid 29 through the conductor H.

A channel shaped frame I2 serves to support the selector keys I3 and their associated operating levers I4. As shown herein there is one bank of twelve keys for making twelve different selections. To the left thereof there is provided a second bank of twelve keys, not shown in Fig. 1, for effecting an additional twelve selections, making twenty-four in all. Said keys and levers are pivotally mounted on a transverse rod I5 extending longitudinally of the front vertical member of the channel, the levers extending transversely through a series of apertures therein. A tension spring I4@ (Fig. 2) on each lever serves to hold said levers in their normal inoperative position.

Mounted on a base IE immediately behind said channel frame there are a plurality of 1key actuated switches I`I, one for each key and each comprising single pole double throw sections, the sliding contact of each section being aixed to a slide bar I8 as shown in Fig. 8. At the rear extremity of each lever I4 there is formed a tab i9 adapted to project through an aperture ISA in the said slide bar (Figs. 2 and 8). Projecting upwardly from the rear extremity of each lever there are two vertically displaced forwardly projecting tabs 22 and 2 I, the purpose of which will be ultimately explained. The operating lever and latch bar 22 are supported longitudinally inside the channel frame I2 by a suitable series of webs or bulklieads afxed between the vertical anges thereof, each bulkhead having an aperture at its uppermost extremity in which the latch bar is slidably supported. Immediately above channel frame I2 there is mounted a bail 2li pivoted on a rod 25 extending longitudinally along the upper surface thereof. A pair of tabs 26 displaced upwardly therefrom serve to support said bail and rod. Afxed to the upper surface of the frame I2 is a bracket 2l supporting the heretofore mentioned cancel solenoid switch II, one for each bank of twelve keys.

With respect to the foregoing mechanism, upon the deposit of coins and the establishment of their credits, the following sequence of operations occur. Upon depression of a selector key I3 the rear extremity of its operating lever I4 is forced upwardly. Its tab 2D engages the underside of the bail 24 raising said bail to engage and close the solenoid switch I I. A small strip of insulating material affixed to said bail prevents electrical conductivity from being established between said bail and switch. However, just prior to the instant that the switch I I closes, the operating lever I4 will have passed its latching position; i. e., from the position shown in Fig. 3 with respect to the latch bar 22; and the tab 2| on said lever will have been displaced upwardly a suflicient distance to clear the said latch bar as shown in Fig. 4.

The closing of switch II energizes solenoid 29 through the conductor H, conductor G having previously been energized by the closing of switch 9. Connected to the solenoid core 30 through the medium of a link 3| there is an interlock control lever 32 pivoted on a bearing shaft 32A (Fig. l). A bracket 33 serves as a connecting medium between the lever 32 and latch bars 22, said bracket being rigidly ahixed to the latch bars and freely pivoted at its upper end to said lever through the pivot pin 34. Near the forward left and right-hand extremities of said lever it is provided with two angularly extending arms 35 and 35, each arm carrying a small adjustable insulating tab 3T and 38, respectively. Mounted adjacent the arm 35 there is a switch 40 which is of a manual reset type microswitch having an actuating plunger 4I and a reset lplunger 42 (Figs. 1 and 5). Supported on the bracket 43 adjacent the arm 36 there are two microswit'ches 44, 45, being heldin an open position by the arm 36 and its tabs 38 :so long as the solenoid 29 remains deenergized.

During the energizing -cycle of solenoid 29, the control lever 32 is swung in a clockwise direction, pivoting about the shaft 32A and performing the following functions: the latch bar 22 is thereby shifted to the left to latch the heretofore depressed key I3 through its associated operating lever. Such shifting of the latch bar similarly latches the remaining keys I3 and their respective levers against operation. This is accomplished by moving the notches in the bar out of alignment with the tabs and 2l, as shown in Fig. 3 to their position as shown in Fig. 4, so that the depressed key lever I4 will be locked vin depressed position and the remaining keys will be locked in operative position.

Thus, in their normal position of Fig. 3, the tabs 20, 2| are in alignment with the notches of the bar 22 with the plane of the bar extending into the space between the tabs 20, 2I. Upon depressing a selector key I3, the tab of the key lever I4 is elevated (see Fig. 2). The shifting of the bar -22 immediately upon compressing the key and lifting the tab end of the key lever misaligns the slots therewith so that the bar extends below the tab 2I of the depressed key, locking it in its actuated position, and extends between the tabs 2I and 20 of the remaining keys to lock them against being actuated.

Immediately after the latching of the keys. switches 44 and 45 are caused to close through engagement therewith of the insulating tab 38 on the control lever arm 36. Following the closing of said switches and near the extreme end of the solenoid energizing stroke, switch 45 is actuated by the arm moving its insulating tab 31 to actuate the plunger 4I. This completes the circuit to the appropriate selector coil 45 (Fig. 9) through the conductor C, switch 40 which has now been moved to closed position, conductor J, switch 44 which has now been closed, conductor K, switch Il which has been closed by the depressed key, and conductor L. At the same instant a circuit .is established to a counter actuating solenoid 4l through the conductor M, switch 45 which has now been closed, and conductor N. The function of the counter solenoid is to effect registration of the total number of plays, one play being registered each time a selection is made as above described. Immediately upon the selection being thus made, the switch 40 is actuated to open the circuit to the solenoid 29 as hereinafter described. With said solenoid deenergized, the lever tends to return to its normal position through the tension of spring 48. However, a slow return cycle is desired to permit a suiiicient time lapse for all electric controls to complete their work. For this purpose a timing escapement is employed to retard the rate oi the return movement of said lever as hereinafter described in respect to Fig. 7.

In the timing escapement mechanism shown in Figs. l and 7, a supporting base 5l) therefor extends from the main base support i6 and carries thereon a stub shaft 5l for rotatably supporting the ratchet wheel 52 and associated gear 53. Pivoted at 54 on said base there is provided a crank 55, one arm of which is formed with series-of teeth coaxially disposed with respect. to

thepivotal mounting 54, said teeth meshing with the gear l53. Mounted adjacent the periphery of the ratchet wheel 52 there is a pawl 55 free to oscillate, but normally held in engagement with the gear 53 by a tension spring 57. `A bracket 58 'secured to said base supports a forklike pawl 59 pivotally supported by a bearing BIJ 'and having its projecting ends arranged for alternating engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 52. Said crank is pivotally connected at 58a to an upwardly projecting Vtab on the link 6I, said link having one extremity pivotally connected to the control lever 32 and the other pivotally connected to lever B2 of the accumulator 3.

During the energization cycle of the solenoid 29, the control lever V32 and the link Bl move in a clockwise direction. Consequently, the crank 55 imparts a counterclockwise motion to the gear 53. During this stroke the pawl 55 merely slides in and out of engagement with the teeth on said gear. However, on the return stroke pawl 56 will force `the ratchet wheel 52 to rotate simultaneously with the gear 53 thereupon imparting an oscillatory motion to the pawl 55 which alternately engages and disengages the teeth of the ratchet wheel. This action tends to provide a braking effect on the control lever 32 such as to delay its return to its normal position under the iniiuence of the spring 48.

The lever v62 of the accumulator 3 carries a spring loaded arm 63 having a downwardly projecting tab 54. On the energizing stroke of each operating cycle the tension spring 53A forces the tab v64 on the arm 53 'to follow the periphery of the accumulator ratchet wheel 4. However, on each return stroke the Vtab S4 engages said wheel returning it one tooth and cancelling off one selection. It will 'thus be seen that the control lever 32 serves to actuate the 'interlock bars 22 moving them to position to lock the actuated key in its operated position and the remaining keys against'actuation during lthe selecting cycle. But upon completion of the cycle with the delay action following deenergization of the solenoid 29, said control lever returns the latching bars 22 to unlatching position and cancels off the credit for the selection made from the credit-s built up in the accumulator.

Referring particularly to the microswitch 40 (Figs. l and '5), there is provided an auxiliary bail 65 Vimmediately behind the aforementioned pivoted -bail 24, the bail 55 being pivoted on a rod 66 supported at one end by a bracket I'I and at the other end by the bracket 39 supporting the `switch 40. At the rear extremity of said bracket there is pivoted a lever 53 having an angularly disposed arm 5S carrying on its end an adjustable tab vlil of insulating material. Connecting said lever and bail E5 there is a link arm 'IL Upon motion being imparted to t-he bail 24 by the depression of a selector key as above de scribed, said bail in turn imparts movement to the auxiliary bail 65 which, through the link 'II forces the lever 68 away from the switch reset plunger 42. Upon completion of the operating cycle, the tension spring 'i2 connected with the levert@ serves to return Yboth bails to normal positionv and at the same time force said lever 58 Ito' reset the switch 45 to its position as shown in Fig. 9 through its reset plunger 42.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that upon deposit of a coin its value will be banked through the Aaccumulator solenoid 5 which will close the switch 3 to energize the lights I0 and condition the circuit through the interlocking control solenoid 29 to operate said solenoid upon closing of switch ll when any one of the keys I3 are depressed. The keys thereby being interlocked upon actuation of the control lever 32 by the solenoid 29, the switch 40 will be moved to close the circuit through the conductor J, at the same time breaking the circuit through the solenoid 29 and the selection lights I0. This indicates that the selection has been made. Such actuation of the switch 40 closes the circuit through the selector Switch 44, key switch I1, and conductor L to the selected one of the selector solenoids "56. The switch 45 is closed to energize solenoid 41 for registering the selection. The selection having thus been made, the selecting circuit is maintained for a suicient time lor full energizing of the solenoids by the delay action device of Fig. 7. This device permits the slow return of the control lever 32, after solenoid 29 has been deenergized, back to its normal position to move the interlock bars 22 for freeing the keys, cancel oli one credit from the accumulator, and reset the circuit to its initial condition by returning switch 40.

It may be particularly noted that through the combined action of the auxiliary bail 65 and the switch 49, said switch will not be reset to condition the circuit to the solenoid 29 unless the actuated selector key is manually released. Only upon its manual release will it cause said switch L'lil to be reset through the mechanism shown in Fig. 5 to its normal condition shown in Fig. 9. Until it is so reset the solenoid 29 cannot be reenergized for effecting another cycle of operation. This prevents repetition of the selecting action, whereby there will be only one selecting cycle irrespective of whether or not the key is held down for an indefinite period or quickly released.

For the purpose of the above action, reference is made to Fig. 9 wherein there is provided a series of electric selecting circuits indicated generally by the conductors C, J, K, and L, which includes the source S and transformer 2, as well as the series of selector Solenoids 46, selector switches i1, switch 44, and the two way or double acting switch all. Associated therewith, having the common source S and transformer 2, there is a control circuit including the conductors C, E, G, H, and D, said control circuit also including the control solenoid 29, switches 9 and Il, and the said two way or double acting switch 5.5. Thus the switch 49 is normally positioned to close said control circuit for conditioning the solenoid 29. Upon the solenoid 29 being actuated, it causes the switch 49 to be positioned to condition the selector circuits, one of which is rendered enective through the closing of a selected switch il. Said switch 49 is reset to its normal position for breaking the selecting circuits and reconditioning the control circuit only after the actuated selector key has been released, in the manner above described. This action is only accomplished at the end of the time cycle controlled by the timing mechanism of Fig. 7. Thus the selecting circuit is rendered effective for only one selection during the cycle and a further selection cannot be made until the key has been released and the time control cycle completed.

The invention claimed is:

l. In a coin controlled electric selecting mechanism including an impulse actuated credit accumulator for setting up a credit for each coin value, and a plurality of selector keys and selector circuits individually controlled thereby, the combination therewith of an electric control circuit including therein an accumulator switch, controlled by said credit accumulator, a mechanical key interlock, a control solenoid in said control circuit connected to said interlock, said control circuit being conditioned by the closing of said accumulator switch to energize said solenoid upon closing of said key actuated switch, said control solenoid being operable to actuate said interlock for locking said keys against operation and close the circuit to a selected selector solenoid, and means to thereafter deenergize said control solenoid to permit return of said key interlock to unlocking position, open said selector circuit, and actuate said accumulator to cancel one credit.

2. In a coin controlled electric selecting mechanism including a plurality of selector keys and selector circuits individually controlled thereby, the combination therewith of an electric control circuit including therein a control solenoid, a mechanical key interlock connected with said solenoid, a key actuated switch for closing the circuit through said solenoid and causing said solenoid to actuate said interlock for locking said keys against operation upon operation of a key to close a selected selector circuit, a switch in series with said solenoid, means for opening said switchA to deenergize said solenoid upon actuation of said interlock, and mechanism operable upon said solenoid being deenergized to return said key interlock to unlocking position and open said selected selector circuit.

3. In a coin controlled electric selecting mechanism including a plurality of selector keys and selector circuits individually controlled thereby, the combination therewith of an electric control circuit including therein a control solenoid, a mechanical key interlock connected with said solenoid, a key actuated switch for closing the circuit through said solenoid and causing said solenoid to actuate said interlock for locking said keys against operation upon operation of a key to close a selected selector circuit, a switch in series with said solenoid, means for opening said switch to deenergize said solenoid upon actuation of said interlock, and a mechanical delay action mechanism connected with said key interlock to delay its return to open position upon said control circuit being deenergized and open said selector circuit.

4. In a coin controlled electric selecting mechanism including a plurality of selector keys and selector circuits individually controlled thereby, the combination therewith of an electric control circuit, a mechanical key interlock, an actuating lever connected with said interlock, a control solenoid in said circuit connected with said lever, a key actuated switch for closing the circuit to said control solenoid upon actuation of a selector key and causing said lever to move said interlock or locking said key in its actuated position and the remaining keys in inoperative position, a switch in circuit with said control solenoid operative by said lever upon being moved to its actuating position to deenergize said control solenoid, a second switch actuated by said lever upon being moved to its actuating position for closing a selected selector circuit, and a spring actuated pawl and ratchet mechanism operable under spring tension upon said control solenoid being deenergized to return said lever to normal position with a delayed action for returning said key interlock to unlocking position and resetting said selector circuit control switch to open the selected selector circuit.

A coin controlled electric selecting mecha--v nism of the character described including a plurality of selector keys, an interlock bar displaceable relative to said keys engageable therewith to lock the respective keys'against operation, a control lever operatively connected with said bar, a control solenoid connected with said lever for moving it in one direction to key locking position upon being energized, an electric circuit including said solenoid adapted to be closed upon actuation of one of said keys, a switch movable to open said circuit to deenergize said solenoid upon said lever being actuated, a coin-actuated' credit accumulator movable to set up one creditl for each coin value, and a delayed action mechanismV connected with said lever and accumulator operative to effect the return of said lever to normal position for unlocking said keys and actuating said accumulator to cancel one credit.

6. A selecting mechanism of the character described including a plurality of selector keys, a mechanical interlock displaceable relative to said keys engageable therewith to lock the respective keys against operation, a control lever operably connected with said interlock, a control solenoid connected with said lever for moving it in one direction to key locking position upon being energized, an electric circuit including said solenoid adapted to be-closed upon actuation of one of said keys, a switch movable to open said circuit to deenergize said solenoid upon said lever being actuated, and a delayed action mechanism operative to effect the return of said lever to normal position for unlocking said-keys after a predetermined time interval.

7. A selecting mechanism of the character described including a plurality of selector keys, a mechanical interlock displaceable relative to said keys engageable therewith to lock the respective keysagainst operation, a control lever operably connected with said interlock, a control solenoid connected with said lever for moving it in one direction to key locking position upon being energized, an electric circuit including said solenoid, a key actuated switch and areset switch, said circuit being closed to energize said solenoid upon closing of said key actuated switch, a plurality of selector circuits, one said circuit being selectively conditioned by actuation of one of said keys con-` trolled by said reset switch, means operable by said lever upon movement to key locking position to cause said reset switch to open the said circuit through said solenoid and close the said selected circuit, and a delayed action mechanism connected with said lever operative to effect the delayed return of' said lever to normal vposition after a predetermined time interval for unlocking said keys and resetting said reset switch to open said selected circuit and condition said rst mentioned circuit. i

8. A coin controlled electric selecting mechanism of the character described including a plurality of selector keys, a mechanical interlock displaceable relative to said keys engageable therewith to lock the respective keys against operation, a control lever operably connected with said interlock, a control solenoid connected with said lever for moving it in one direction to key locking position upon being energized, an electric circuit including saidsolenoid, a key actuated switch and a manual reset switch in said circuit, said circuit being closed tol energize said solenoid upon closing of said key actuated switch, a plurality of 10 selector circuits, one said circuit being selectively conditioned by actuation of one'of said keys controlled by said reset switch, means operable by said lever upon movement to key locking position to causev said reset switch to open the said control circuit through said sol-enoid and close the said selector circuit, a coin actuated credit accumulator movable'to set up one credit for each coin value, and a delayed action mechanism connected With`A saidl lever and accumulator operable simultaneously after a predetermined time interval to actuate said accumulator to cancel onev credit and return said lever to normal position for unlocking said keys and resetting said reset switch to open the selector circuit and condition saidrst mentioned circuit.

9. A selecting mechanism of the character described including a plurality of selector keys, an interlock bar displaceable transversely of said keys upon one of saidkeys being depressed to lock the respective keys against operation, a control lever*fulcrumedlintermediateits ends having one end operably connected with said bar, a control solenoid connected with the other end thereof for moving it in key locking direction upon being energized, a control circuit including said solenoid, a switch in sadcircuit common to all oi said keys adapted to be moved to circuit closing position upon one of saidkeys being depressed, a plurality of selector circuits, one ofk said circuits being selectively conditionedv by the depressed key, a switch for closing said conditioned circuit actuated by said lever uponsaid solenoid being energized, arcset switch in both said circuits normally positioned to close said iirst mentioned circuit and movable'to open said circuit, deenergize said solenoid and close the said key conditioned selector circuit by said lever upon being moved to key locking position, a delayed action mechanism connected with said lever operable to return it to normalv position for unlocking said keys after a predetermined time interval following deenergization of said solenoid, and means controlled by theY delayed movement of said lever to normal position operative to reset said reset switch to open said selector circuit and recondition said control circuit.

10. A- coin controlled electric selecting mechanism of the character described including a plurality of selector keys, an interlock bar displaceable transversely of said keys upon one of said keys being depressed to lock the respective keys against operation, a control lever iulcrummed intermediate its ends having one end operably connected with said bar, a control solenoid connected with the other end thereof for moving it in key locking direction upon being energized, a control;

circuit including said solenoid,y a switch in said circuit common to all of said keys adapted to be moved to circuit closing position upon one'of said keys being depressed, a plurality of selector circuits, one of said circuitsl being selectively conditioned vby the depressed key, a switch for closing said conditioned circuit actuated by said lever upon said solenoid being energized, a reset switch in both said circuits normally positioned to close said rst mentioned circuit and movable to open said circuit, deenergize said solenoid and close the said key conditioning selector circuit by said lever upon being moved to key locking position, a coin actuated credit accumulator movable to set up one credit for each" coin value, a delayed action mechanism jointly connected with said accumulator and lever operable upon said solenoid being deenergized to return said lever to normal position and actuate said accumulator to cancel one credit after a predetermined time interval, and means actuated by said lever upon return to ncrmal position operable to reset said reset switch to open said control circuit and condition said rst mentioned circuit.

l1. A selecting mechanism of the character described including a plurality of selector keys, an interlock bar displaceable transversely of said keys upon one of said keys being depressed to lock the respective keys against operation, a control lever fulcrummed intermediate its ends having one end operably connected with said bar, a control solenoid connected with the other end thereoi for moving it in key locking direction upon being energized, an electric control circuit including said solenoid, a switch in said circuit common to all of said keys adapted to be moved to circuit closing position upon one of said keys being depressed, a plurality of selector circuits, one of said circuits being selectively conditioned by the depressed key, a switch for closing said conditioned circuit actuated by said lever upon said solenoid being energized, a reset switch in said circuits normally positioned to condition said control circuit and movable to open said circuit to deenergize said solenoid and close the said key conditioned circuit upon said lever being moved to key locking position, a tension spring connected with said lever tending to return it to normal position upon said solenoid being deenergized, a pawl and ratchet delayed action mechanism connected with said lever movable under tension of said spring to control said return movement for causing said keys to remain locked and said selected circuit closed for a predetermined time interval, and means controlled by the return of said lever to normal position for resetting said reset switch to open the selected circuit upon release of said keys and condition said control circuit.

l2. A coin controlled electric selecting mechanism of the character described inluding a plurality of selector keys, an interlock bar displaceable transversely of said keys upon one of said keys being depressed to lock the respective keys against operation, a control lever iulcrummed intermediate its ends having one end operably connected with said bar, a control solenoid connected with the other end thereof for moving it in key locking direction upon being energized, an electric control circuit including said solenoid, a switch in said circuit common to all of said keys adapted to be moved to circuit closing position upon one of said keys being depressed, a plurality of selector circuits, one said circuit being selectively conditioned by the depressed key, a switch for closing said conditioned circuit actuated by said lever upon said solenoid being energized, a reset switch in both said circuits normally positioned to condition said control circuit and movable to open said circuit to deenergize said solenoid and close the said key conditioned selector circuit upon said lever being moved to key locking position, a credit coin actuated credit accumulator movable to set up a credit for each coin value and connected with said lever, a spring for urging said lever to normal position, a pawl and ratchet delayed action mechanism connected with said lever operative to resist its movement to normal position through a predetermined time interval, said lever acting upon return to normal position to actuate said accumulator for cancelling one credit, open said control circuit and unlock the said keys, and means actuated by said lever upon its return to normal position operative to reset said reset switch for deconditioning said selected circuit and reconditioning said control circuit.

13. An electric selecting mechanism including a series of electric selecting circuits, a selector key for each circuit, an electric control circuit for said selecting circuits, a double acting switch interposed between said circuits, said switch being normally positioned to close said control circuit, a solenoid in said control circuit, means actuated by said solenoid upon being energized to move said switch to close a selected one o said selecting circuits and open said control circuit, and means controlled by an actuated selector key operatively connected with said switch for resetting it to its normal position upon said key being released and returned to normal position.

14. An electric selecting mechanism including a series of electric selecting circuits, a selector key adapted to be actuated to condition a selected one of said circuits, an electric control circuit for said selecting circuits, a double acting switch interposed between said circuits, said switch being normally positioned to condition said control circuit and open said selecting circuits, a solenoid in said control circuit, a time control mechanism actuated by said solenoid upon being energized through closing oi said circuit by a selector key, said mechanism operatively engaging said switch for moving it from control circuit conditioning position to position for closing said selected circuit and opening said control circuit, and means controlled by the actuated selecter key operatively connected with said switch for resetting it to its normal position upon said key being released and completion of the time cycle controlling said mechanism.

l5. An electric selecting mechanism including a series of electric selecting circuits, an electric control circuit having an electric source common to said selecting circuits, a double acting switch normally positioned to condition said control circuit and movable therefrom to position for conditioning said selecting circuits, a selector key adapted to be actuated to condition one of said selector circuits, means operated by an actuated key to close said control circuit, a time controlled solenoid in said control circuit, delayed action mechanism operable by said solenoid upon being energized to move said switch to open said control circuit and close the selected circuit, key locking mechanism actuated by said delayed action mechanism engageable with the actuated key for locking it in actuated position and release said key after a predetermined time interval, and means controlled by said actuated key to engage and reset said switch to its normal position upon said key being released to its normal position.

OTTO E. GRUPP, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile oi this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,454,990 Wilcke May 15, 1923 2,318,541 Tewksbury May 4, 1943 2,424,243 Lowell July 22, 1947 2,426,595 Busch Sept. 2, 1947 

